Arsenal 26yo joins Man City on 2-year deal | OneFootball

Laura Wienroither has completed a permanent move to Manchester City from Arsenal after spending the second half of last season on loan at the Academy Stadium.

The Austrian international defender has signed a two-year contract, keeping her in Manchester until 2027.

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Wienroither, 26, joined Arsenal from Hoffenheim in 2022 and made 51 appearances, but her role diminished last year following fierce competition for places and her long recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament injury she suffered in May 2023.

After nearly a year out, she returned to action in April but was sent out on loan to City in January, making eight appearances before the season ended.

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The defender quickly felt at home in Manchester and spoke openly about why she wanted the move to become permanent. “I really enjoyed the last six months. I feel like I settled in well… This club is made to win titles, to win trophies, and I’m here to do that. The team definitely has the qualities and potential to do that, and we do have a very successful future ahead,” she said.

Wienroither admitted her future had been uncertain during the loan but said the opportunity to sign for City permanently was straightforward. “Yeah, definitely [it’s a relief to have my future sorted],” she said.

“To be fair, I did have uncertainty across the last six months. When you’re away on loan that’s always a different scenario to when you’re at a club permanently. As soon as the opportunity came up, it was like I don’t have to think about it, I’m going to go for it. It just felt right and also when I arrived here a couple days ago and drove in back to Manchester, it just feels like a match. It just feels like home, that’s why I’m very happy to be here.”

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The Austrian highlighted the influence of former Arsenal teammate Vivianne Miedema and City players Alex Greenwood and Rebecca Knaak, who helped her settle. “Definitely Viv, I’ve known her from before and we’ve had some really good times in London as well. We became really good friends and she helped me a lot when settling in and also before I came here I spoke to her a lot.

“Then when the season went on I’d also say Alex and Becks, I became really close with them. I think they are great humans and they made my time in Manchester pretty special, I’m happy to be spending some more time with them. I think that’s what makes it really special, we all care about each other as human beings. That’s always really special when you have that in a group.”

Wienroither also credited city Director of Football Therese Sjögran for her role in the deal, saying: “I spoke a lot to Therese. I really like her as a human being, she gave me the opportunity to come here. She believes in me and trusts in me, and I think these were the factors which made me want to sign for City. I do really appreciate people trusting in me and believing in me that I can contribute and bring some quality to the team.”

After a difficult period at Arsenal, Wienroither’s move represents a fresh start and a chance to re-establish herself in the WSL. For City, it adds defensive depth and experience as they look to close the gap on the top three.

For the player herself, it brings stability after a year of upheaval. As she put it, “It just feels like home.”